Secondary transmission of fipronil toxicity between Oriental cockroaches Blatta orientalis L in arenas

Mixed colonies of adult male and female Oriental cockroaches were conditioned to a 12:12 h photocycle in arenas (0.23 m²) with a harbourage, food and water and then exposed to deposits (30 mg or 2 × 30 mg) of 0.5 g kg⁻¹ fipronil gel bait at the beginning of a dark phase. The bait was rapidly consumed by the first sub‐group of insects to emerge from the harbourage; any residual bait was removed from the arenas 4 h into the following light phase. Third‐instar nymphs were then introduced and mortality was monitored over the subsequent 14 days with all cadavers left in situ. Death of cockroaches under these conditions was due to direct poisoning of the sub‐group of the adults that consumed the bait and to secondary transfer of toxicity to the remainder of the adult and to the nymphal populations. Mean mortality in the adult populations increased to > 96% (females) and > 53% (males) with consistently higher mortality of females than males; that in the third‐instar nymph (unexposed) populations increased to 25–50%. Some cadavers were wholly or partially eaten by other cockroaches during this period, and this was interpreted as the major mechanism of secondary transfer of toxicity. Individual adult females were fed weighed bait deposits (10 mg) and, following death (24 h), the cadavers were transferred to closed containers held at 33%, 52% or 76% relative humidity /28 °C for periods of up to 7 weeks. They were then added individually to groups of five adult females provided with water but no alternative food source. Mean mortalities (>64% at 1 week and > 96% at 7 weeks) were not significantly lower than mean mortalities produced by freshly poisoned cockroaches, showing that no loss in the insecticidal activity of the cadavers occurred under these storage conditions. The potential of necrophagy to supplement the primary action of fipronil bait treatment of Oriental cockroach infestations by inhibiting colony redevelopment is discussed. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Transfer of five commercial termite bait formulations containing benzoylphenyl urea chitin synthesis inhibitors within groups of the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

ABSTRACT

Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), workers were exposed for 7 days to one of five chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs): diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, noviflumuron, and novaluron in commercially available bait matrices. Following a 7 day exposure period, termite donors (D) were combined with naïve (not exposed) termite recipients (R) at five D:R ratios (20:0, 15:5, 10:10, 5:15, and 1:19) and mortality determined daily for up to 68 days. Lethal time and percent mortality data suggest efficient transfer at all D:R ratios for all CSIs tested, except diflubenzuron at 1:19. Despite the data indicating transfer of lufenuron in bioassay, this material may not be effective in field use based on behavioral observations that include limited movement by donors. We also report frequency of visible evidence of CSI intoxication, including the previously described “jackknife” pose and an additional physical deformity, we term “curled-body”. The implications these data and observations have for laboratory evaluation and field population management using commercial termite baiting systems is discussed.     

Development of strategies for monitoring indoxacarb and gel bait susceptibility in the German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

BACKGROUND: Advion^® cockroach gel bait (6 g kg^?1 indoxacarb) is in widespread use for Blattella germanica (L.) control in the United States. However, baseline susceptibility levels to indoxacarb in German cockroach field populations are not known. Hence, this research sought to develop monitoring strategies to estimate the susceptibility of German cockroach populations to indoxacarb. RESULTS: Four bioassays were evaluated: topical lethal dose (LD), formulated gel bait lethal time (LT), vial lethal concentration (LC) and gel bait matrix LD. Of these methods, the vial LC and gel bait matrix LD bioassays were the most economical and relevant assessment strategies. For indoxacarb susceptibility monitoring, a two‐tiered approach was developed that utilizes diagnostic concentrations and doses in vial LC (30 and 60 µg vial^?1) and gel bait matrix LD (1.0, 1.5 and 2.5 µg insect^?1) formats. CONCLUSIONS: A two‐tiered susceptibility monitoring strategy was developed that includes testing field populations at diagnostic concentrations and doses in first‐tier vial LC bioassays and second‐tier gel bait matrix LD bioassays. The vial method facilitates rapid identification of field strains with reduced susceptibility. The feeding bioassay effectively simulates field exposure to Advion^® and therefore has utility for secondary confirmation of susceptibility shifts and identification of behavioral resistance (i.e. bait aversion). Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Cross-resistance potential of fipronil in Musca domestica

The toxicity of fipronil to insecticide-susceptible houseflies and the cross-resistance potential of fipronil were determined for six insecticide-resistant laboratory housefly strains by topical application and feeding bioassay. The insecticide-resistant strains represented different levels and patterns of resistance to pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates and organochlorines. Five strains were almost susceptible to fipronil in feeding bioassay with resistance factors at LC50 between 0.36 and 3.0. Four of these strains were almost susceptible to topically applied fipronil (resistance factors at LD50 were 0.55, 0.83, 3.3 and 2.5, respectively), whereas one strain was 13-fold resistant to topically applied fipronil. A highly gamma-HCH-resistant strain, 17e, was 430-fold resistant to fipronil in topical application bioassay and 23-fold resistant in feeding bioassay at LD50/LC50. We also tested the toxicity of fipronil in a feeding bioassay and gamma-HCH in topical application bioassay on thirteen housefly field populations. Eleven of the field populations had resistance factors for fipronil ranging from 0.98 to 2.4 at LC50, whereas two populations were 4.0- and 4.6-fold resistant to fipronil. The resistance level to gamma-HCH at LD50 in the field populations ranged from 1.8- to 8.1-fold. The two strains showing fipronil resistance were 3.4- and 8.1-fold resistant to gamma-HCH. Fipronil and gamma-HCH toxicities were positively correlated in the field populations. Biochemical assays of esterase, glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase indicated that the low fipronil resistance observed in laboratory and field strains could be caused by elevated detoxification or be due to a target-site resistance mechanism with cross-resistance to gamma-HCH.     

Laboratory evaluation of two novel strategies to control first-instar gypsy moth larvae with spinosad applied to tree trunks

Two strategies for controlling first-instar larvae of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar (L)), insecticidal bait and contact insecticide applied directly to the tree trunk, were evaluated in the laboratory. Spinosad was selected as a candidate natural-product insecticide that is active both by contact and ingestion. Incorporated into artificial diet-based bait, spinosad was toxic to neonate larvae with a minimal 10-s feeding period, with an LC50 value of 20 (15-26, 95% confidence interval) mg liter-1. It was significant that neonate larvae did not discriminate between spinosad-treated and control diet. Efficacy of diet-based bait in the laboratory, however, was significantly impacted by previous exposure to diet; fed larvae did not stop at the bait and did not incur mortality, as compared to unfed larvae. Oak bark was a suitable substrate from which neonate larvae could contact spinosad residues. Spinosad applied directly to oak bark resulted in significant mortality after 1- and 4-min crawling contact exposure times (LC50 = 24 [20-29, 95% CI] and 8.7 [6.9-11, 95% CI] mg liter-1, respectively) and contact activity persisted for 2 weeks. While contact activity was more potent on glass surfaces than on oak bark, the LC50 values differed only by factors of 2.4 and 3.6, for 1- and 4-min exposures respectively.     

Mortality and F1 progeny of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F), on wheat treated with diatomaceous earth: effects of rate, exposure period and relative humidity

A series of experiments at 25 (+/-1) degrees C were conducted in which different application rates of diatomaceous earth (DE) formulation Protect-It at two levels of relative humidity, 40 and 55%, and at three exposure periods were evaluated for control of Rhyzopertha dominica (F). Test insects were placed in vials containing 40 g of soft winter wheat mixed with 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 g DE kg(-1). At all rates except 0.25 g kg(-1), mortality was significantly different from that in the control at the relevant exposure period. After each exposure interval, dead and live insects were counted and removed, and the vial containing wheat was then returned to the appropriate humidity chamber for 8 weeks until F(1) adults emerged. F(1) progeny production was significantly different from the control group at all rates. Mortalities for 1, 2 and 3 weeks exposure were found to be 47 (+/-5)%. Despite the fact that mortality increased with increasing rate, total mortality was not achieved even at the highest rate of DE. F(1) progeny production decreased with increasing rate for both RH conditions, and containment of population for both RH conditions was achieved at 1.00 g DE kg(-1). For each exposure period, F(1) progeny production of R dominica decreased with increasing rate of DE, and population suppression was achieved at 1.00 g DE kg(-1) for all exposure intervals. In summary, Protect-It resulted in reduced F(1) adult progeny and containment of population was achieved at 1.00 g DE kg(-1) at which rate mortality was 77%.     

Short- and long-term control of Vespula pensylvanica in Hawaii by fipronil baiting

BACKGROUND: The invasive western yellowjacket wasp, Vespula pensylvanica (Saussure), has significantly impacted the ecological integrity and human welfare of Hawaii. The goals of the present study were (1) to evaluate the immediate and long‐term efficacy of a 0.1% fipronil chicken bait on V. pensylvanica populations in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, (2) to quantify gains in efficacy using the attractant heptyl butyrate in the bait stations and (3) to measure the benefits of this approach for minimizing non‐target impacts to other arthropods. RESULTS: The 0.1% fipronil chicken bait reduced the abundance of V. pensylvanica by 95 ± 1.2% during the 3 months following treatment and maintained a population reduction of 60.9 ± 3.1% a year after treatment in the fipronil‐treated sites when compared with chicken‐only sites. The addition of heptyl butyrate to the bait stations significantly increased V. pensylvanica forager visitation and bait take and significantly reduced the non‐target impacts of fipronil baiting. CONCLUSION: In this study, 0.1% fipronil chicken bait with the addition of heptyl butyrate was found to be an extremely effective large‐scale management strategy and provided the first evidence of a wasp suppression program impacting Vepsula populations a year after treatment. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Efficacy of insecticides through contact and oral uptake towards four Agriotes wireworm species under controlled conditions

Wireworms of Agriotes lineatus, A. obscurus, A. sputator and A. sordidus were exposed to insecticide treated soil using two different control methods. One method consisted of a spray application of insecticides at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 300 g a.i. per ha. The other method consisted of a bait treatment at doses of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 g a.i. per ha. Four insecticides were tested: fipronil and the neonicotinoids thiamethoxam, imidacloprid and clothianidin. In the soil treatment trial, chlorpyrifos was added as a reference treatment. The two test methods were conducted at different dates on the various species, but in equally controlled conditions. Mortality was observed after one and two (bait treatment) or three (soil treatment) weeks of exposure. Fipronil was highly lethal to each of the wireworm species tested, regardless of the method used. In general, mortality was higher compared to the neonicotinoids tested, the latter showing low or no mortality at the given dose and exposure variants. Applying fipronil in a bait formulation may decrease the amount of active ingredient per ha considerably, therefore baits may have important environmental benefits.     

Correlation of a resistance-associated Rdl mutation in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L), with persistent dieldrin resistance in two Danish field populations

Danish Blattella germanica (L) populations carry the resistance-associated mutation A302S within the Resistance to dieldrin (Rdl) gene. The mutation has remained in field populations long after the discontinuation of dieldrin for cockroach control. The mutation has also persisted in our laboratory strains with high and intermediate frequencies for more than 8 years without selection. The toxicity of dieldrin was tested by topical application to male cockroaches in the susceptible strain DPIL-SUS and two field strains, Zo960302 and Su960304, which were 1270- and 15-fold resistant to dieldrin at LD50. We report the sequencing of exon 7 of the B. germanica Rdl gene and the finding of the putative resistance-associated A302S mutation. We have developed and implemented a PCR-based diagnostic method with the detection of a restriction endonuclease polymorphism, which allows for easy discrimination of susceptible, resistant and heterozygote genotypes. The frequency of the resistance-associate allele A302S was 0.97 and 0.38 in the Zo960302 and Su960304 populations, respectively. The cockroach Rdl A302S allele confers high dieldrin resistance in homozygotes and intermediate resistance in heterozygotes, and its presence is responsible for the persisting dieldrin resistance in Danish populations of B. germanica.     

Brief exposure of Blattella germanica (Blattodea) to insecticides formulated in various microcapsule sizes and applied on porous and non-porous surfaces

BACKGROUND: The authors explored how microcapsule size and brief exposure affected the bioavailability of five microencapsulated insecticide formulations, chlorpyrifos 23.1 g L(-1) CS (Detmol-PRO), chlorpyrifos 20 g L(-1) CS (Empire 20), fenitrothion 20 g L(-1) CS (Detmol-Mic), cyphenothrin 10 g L(-1) CS (Detmol-CAP) and diazinon 30 g L(-1) CS (Diacap), to Blattella germanica L. on porous and non-porous surfaces. The hypothesis was tested that microencapsulated (CS) insecticides comprising larger microcapsules show higher efficacy on porous surfaces than formulations with smaller microcapsules. RESULTS: Brief exposure was accomplished by allowing B. germanica to cross a 0.3 m insecticide barrier in 30 s (1.01 cm s(-1)). Such short exposure did not lead to 100% mortality in any formulation or surface tested. Significant differences in bioavailability on the porous and the non-porous surfaces were found: the largest difference was observed in Empire 20 and Detmol CAP, while bioavailability of Detmol MIC did not differ on porous and non-porous surfaces. Comparison of their microcapsule size spectra revealed that formulations containing larger microcapsules had higher efficacy on porous surfaces than formulations with smaller microcapsules. In order to explain the difference in efficacy, the variance of microcapsule sizes was regressed on the efficacy ratio on porous versus non-porous surfaces. Although negative correlation was evident between size of capsules and the efficacy ratio on porous and non-porous surfaces, the difference in the slope parameter was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Brief contact of B. germanica with insecticide spray residues, which is common in barrier treatment, may lead to low efficacy, especially on porous surfaces. The latter should be preferably treated with CS insecticides containing a fraction with large capsules. In addition to the size of the microcapsules, the role of other factors, such as wall capsule thickness and chemical composition, on CS insecticide activity on various surfaces should be examined in future work.     

Insecticidal efficacy of fipronil against four stored‐product insect pests: influence of commodity,dose, exposure interval,relative humidity and temperature

BACKROUND: Fipronil is an insecticidal pyrazole that is commonly used as an insecticide in field crops, urban pesticide and veterinary medicine, but there are no reports of its evaluation against stored‐product insects. Three series of laboratory bioassays were conducted to assess fipronil as a potential grain protectant against adults of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Prostephanus truncatus (Horn). Factors such as dose (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain), exposure interval (24 h, 48 h, 7 days and 14 days), temperature (20, 25 and 30 °C), relative humidity (RH; 55 and 65%) and commodity (wheat, maize, barley and paddy rice) were evaluated with regard to their impact on the insecticidal activity of fipronil. Progeny production was assessed after 64 days of exposure. RESULTS: At doses of < 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain, efficacy of fipronil was enhanced by an increase in temperature from 20 to 25 °C against S. oryzae or R. dominica for exposures of > 48 h and against T. confusum or P. truncatus for exposures of > 24 h. A further increase in temperature from 25 to 30 °C, although it enhanced efficacy at doses of < 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain against S. oryzae at all exposure intervals and against T. confusum after 7 days of exposure, it was negatively associated with efficacy against R. dominica or P. truncatus for exposures of > 24 h. By contrast, increase in RH did not have a significant impact on efficacy of fipronil. Although the performance of fipronil among the tested commodities was species dependent, this substance appeared to be less effective in paddy rice than in barley, maize and wheat. Regardless of the treated commodity, progeny production of all the tested species was almost suppressed with doses higher than 0.1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain. CONCLUSIONS: Fipronil appeared to be a very effective alternative to the existing substances in stored‐grain protection at doses equal to or higher than 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain, and thus these doses require further evaluation in terms of safety for the consumer and residues on stored products. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Toxicity and horizontal transfer of chlorantraniliprole against the Asian subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann): effects of donor:recipient ratio, exposure duration and soil type

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of chlorantraniliprole and other insecticides (bifenthrin, fipronil, indoxacarb, imidacloprid and chlorfenapyr) were tested against Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann). Four experiments were conducted: a topical bioassay, a horizontal transfer study, an insecticide bioavailability test and a feeding bioassay. RESULTS: The topical bioassay showed that chlorantraniliprole was significantly less active to C. gestroi at 24 h post‐treatment compared with the other insecticides tested. Nevertheless, it is likely that a lesser amount of chlorantraniliprole was required to cause 50% mortality of C. gestroi at 7 and 14 days post‐treatment. The exposure duration and donor:recipient ratio affect the mortality of recipient termites. Mortality after exposure to chlorantraniliprole in sandy clay was significantly lower than in sand; however, by 14 days, > 90% of donor and recipient termites died in both substrates, irrespective of concentration. Fipronil and imidacloprid showed faster action, and high to moderate toxicity to C. gestroi. Termite workers also ceased to feed after exposure for 1 h to 50 mg kg^?1 chlorantraniliprole‐treated sandy clay. CONCLUSION: Chlorantraniliprole demonstrated delayed toxicity at the lowest label rate (50 mg kg^?1) in sandy clay. Its slow action will enable greater transfer of toxicant between nestmates, while feeding cessation will promote greater social interaction between healthy and exposed termites. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

氟虫腈对家蚕的急性毒性与安全评价研究

氟虫腈是我国稻桑混栽地区水稻上普遍使用的杀虫剂。采用食下毒叶法、口器注入法与药 膜法测定了不同条件下氟虫腈对家蚕的急性毒性。氟虫腈对2龄、3龄、4龄、5龄家蚕的摄入LC50值 (48 h,下同)分别为4.89、6.46、9.47、11.59 mg/L;对5龄家蚕的LD50值为1.38 μg/蚕;在25、30、35 ℃ 3个温度下,氟虫腈对2龄家蚕的LC50值分别为4.81、4.59、2.05 mg/L;桑叶浸药时间为1 s、10 s、1 min、10 min、1 h时,氟虫腈对3龄家蚕的LC50值分别为9.12、6.46、4.39、3.68、2.80 mg/L;家蚕在氟虫腈药膜上爬行1、10、30、60 min后, 对4龄家蚕的接触LC50值分别为2.82、2.35、2.05、1.57 μg/cm2。研究表明,胃毒是氟虫腈对家蚕的主要作用方式,氟虫腈在桑园附近水稻上使用对家蚕有较大风险。     

密褐褶孔菌Gloeophyllum trabeum对几种杀虫剂跟踪反应及对水坝白蚁诱杀效果的影响

测定了毒死蜱、氰戊菊酯、阿维菌素和氟虫腈等 4种杀虫剂与不同饵料混合后对家白蚁 Coptotermes formosanus和黄肢散白蚁 Reticulitermes flaviceps的口服毒性。在此基础上比较了各种饵料及由它们配成的毒饵对黄肢散白蚁的引诱力。结果表明 ,白蚁对甘蔗粉的喜好程度远超过对淀粉和松木粉。而受密褐褶孔菌 Gloeop hyllum trabeum侵染的甘蔗粉对白蚁的引诱力又远超过未受侵染的甘蔗粉。 4种杀虫剂中除氰戊菊酯外 ,另 3种与受侵染甘蔗粉制成的毒饵均能够在不损失杀白蚁活性的同时保留其对白蚁的引诱力。其中毒死蜱毒饵在为期30 d的水坝白蚁诱杀防治中取得最高 (6 6 .7% )的防治效果。     

Effect of fipronil seed treatments on the germination and early growth of rice

Fipronil seed treatments were evaluated to determine whether they directly influence germination and subsequent seedling growth in rice (Oryza sativa L). Continuous seed exposure to fipronil (four days) at 2 000 mg litre⁻¹ significantly impaired germination (P < 0.001). When exposure was restricted to a 1-h period 48 h after the initiation of germination, early post-germination growth was also impaired (assessment two days after exposure, P < 0.05). The proportion of seeds satisfying our criteria for normal germination fell by 2.3 and 2.6% respectively across 17 cultivars. Cultivar effects were highly significant (P < 0.001). When exposure to fipronil (2 000 mg litre⁻¹) was restricted to 2 h at initial seed wetting no significant growth impairment occurred. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found between shoot lengths or root system dry weights of control plants and plants developing from seed exposed continuously (two days) to fipronil at rates of up to 2 000 mg litre⁻¹ during germination and harvested nine days after sowing. Treating germinated seed with fipronil for 1 h immediately prior to sowing at rates of up to 4 000 mg litre⁻¹ did not result in significant changes (P < 0.05) in plant growth parameters at either nine or 25 days after sowing. No evidence of fipronil having a direct phytostimulatory effect on rice was obtained. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Genetics of spinosad resistance in a multi-resistant field-selected population of Plutella xylostella

Resistance to the bacteria-derived insecticides spinosad (Conserve), abamectin (Vertimec), Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk) (Dipel), B thuringiensis var aizawai (Bta) (Xentari), B thuringiensis crystal endotoxins Cry1Ac and Cry1Ca, and to the synthetic insecticide fipronil was estimated in a freshly-collected field population (CH1 strain) of Plutella xylostella (L) from the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. Laboratory bioassays at G1 indicated significant levels of resistance to spinosad, abamectin, Cry1Ac, Btk, Cry1Ca, fipronil and Bta when compared with a laboratory insecticide-susceptible population. Logit regression analysis of F1 reciprocal crosses indicated that resistance to spinosad in the CH1 population was inherited as a co-dominant trait. At the highest dose of spinosad tested, resistance was close to completely recessive, while at the lowest dose it was incompletely dominant. A direct test of monogenic inheritance based on a back-cross of F1 progeny with CH1 suggested that resistance to spinosad was controlled by a single locus.     

几种昆虫几丁质抑制剂对东亚飞蝗的毒力测定和应用评价

在室内筛选了 5种昆虫几丁质抑制剂和 1种常规杀蝗药剂对东亚飞蝗的毒效。结果表明 ,5种昆虫生长调节剂中 ,以毒饵中药剂有效含量计 ,卡死克毒效最高 ,对 4龄蝻的LC₅₀为26.5(16.5～38.0)mg/kg ,LT₅₀为4.946d ,抑太保次之,LC₅₀为284.4(133.8～449.2)mg/kg,LT₅₀为5.227d ,其余 3种毒效较低 ;但从性能价格评估 ,则以卡死克和灭幼脲较优 ,虽然致死时间较常规杀蝗剂长 ,但由于其高选择性 ,对非靶标生物影响很小 ,对环境比较安全 ,在生产上应用价值较高。常规杀蝗药剂高效氯氰菊酯对天敌和非靶标生物影响较大     

Monitoring of insecticide resistance in damson hop aphid,Phorodon humuli Schrank (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from German hop gardens

The damson hop aphid, Phorodon humuli (Schrank) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most important sucking pests of many hop-growing areas world-wide. In this study we determined the efficacy of several insecticides against strains collected throughout the year 2001. All strains were collected in different hop gardens in the Hallertau (Bavaria), Germany, the largest hop-growing area of the world. First of all we established a leaf dip bioassay, carried out using six-well tissue culture plates and appropriate for monitoring susceptibility against imidacloprid, oxydemeton-methyl, cyfluthrin, amitraz, pymetrozine and pirimicarb. Four of these compounds, imidacloprid, cyfluthrin, pymetrozine and amitraz, are currently registered for the control of sucking pests in German hop gardens and are useful against P. humuli. The leaf-dip bioassay system turned out to be very reliable and robust. Ten P. humuli strains were collected in May 2001 and maintained in the laboratory to assess their resistance to the different insecticides in comparison with two laboratory reference strains (H2 and H5). Using diagnostic concentrations, resistance monitoring for imidacloprid and cyfluthrin was investigated during July and August 2001 on 53 populations from 30 sites around the Hallertau, an area of ca 2500 km2. Resistance to diagnostic concentrations (LC95 for reference strains) of imidacloprid, amitraz and pymetrozine was not detected in any strain received in 2001, but late-season (August) populations seemed to respond more heterogeneously than those collected mid-season (July). Overall composite mean mortalities to diagnostic concentrations of imidacloprid (13 mg litre(-1)) in collections from May, July and August were 95 (+/-2.5), 98 (+/-2.3) and 87 (+/-5.9)%, respectively. Moderate resistance to pyrethroids was observed in all strains collected in May and August using a diagnostic concentrations of 10 mg litre(-1) cyfluthrin (LC95 of the susceptible reference strain H5). Slight to moderate resistance to diagnostic concentrations of oxydemeton-methyl and pirimicarb was observed in some, but not all, strains collected early season. The results are discussed in terms of the implemention of hop aphid resistance management strategies in German hop-cultivation areas.     

Use of pheromone traps for the proper timing of fumigation in the storage environment1

We have broadly divided the methods of storage insect manipulation into curative and preventive measures. Sex and aggregation pheromoncs combined with additional sensory stimuli in adhesive bait traps can be utilized as a preventive measure which may lead to insectistasis (a state wherein the insect population density is diminished to the extent of allowing storage without significant impairment). Insectistasis can be readily achieved by continual supervision of store rooms, use of adhesive bait traps in combination with a limited number of curative measures (e.g. gaseous or contact insecticides) timed according to the extent of trap catches. The sensory stimuli causing male storage moths (Phycitinae) to fly towards these bait traps involve, in sequence, a circadian rhythm, increasing or decreasing light (intensity approximately 1–10 Lux), an air current, a vertical rectangular figure and the main pheromone component. The antennae of male Anagasta kuehniella, Ephestia elutella and Plodia interpunctella comprise two types of receptor cells, of which one is selectively responsive to (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (TDA) and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (TA), while the other responds to (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-l-ol (TDO).     

Miniature-dispenser-based bioassay to evaluate the compatibility of powder formulations used in an entomovectoring approach

BACKGROUND: Entomovectoring as a plant protection strategy demands the design of an appropriate bioassay to assess the risks of potential side effects of the powder formulations in the dispenser towards the vectoring insect. This study reports on the development of a laboratory miniature‐dispenser‐based bioassay. This bioassay system was used to investigate the compatibility of five model products, Prestop‐Mix, Signum, kaolin, wheat flour and cellulose, with the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris L. RESULTS: The laboratory one‐way miniature‐dispenser bioassay showed that the fungicides and the carrier/diluent kaolin caused a worker mortality of > 70% after 5 weeks of exposure, while worker loss with wheat flour and cellulose was no higher than in the blank control (i.e. empty miniature dispenser) (<25%). The laboratory two‐way miniature‐dispenser bioassay comprised separated passageways and demonstrated that only kaolin was toxic (89 ± 11%). These results were also confirmed in a flight‐cage experiment. In addition, a negative effect was observed against reproduction/colony development when nests were exposed to kaolin (P < 0.05) in the two‐way miniature‐dispenser and flight‐cage bioassays. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of entomovectoring technology, the developed laboratory two‐way miniature‐dispenser bioassay gives a reliable prediction of the hazards associated with powder products. Additionally, the present data indicate the possibility of using cellulose and kaolin as respective negative and positive control carriers/diluents in future risk assessment experiments. Overall, the results show that, apart from kaolin, the tested fungicides and carriers/diluents are safe to be used with B. terrestris. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry